► UCAS (University and College Admissions Service)
After your application form has been received, UCAS will give you an application number, personal ID and list of courses you have applied to. You must check this information immediately.
The form is then sent to the admissions tutors of all of the courses you listed on your form. Individual departments are responsible for making offers of places, either with or without an interview. Their replies are sent to you via UCAS.
The replies will be one of four types:
Unconditional Offer - this is normally given to people who already possess the required grades
Conditional Offer - this is an offer of a place made on condition that you achieve specific grades in your exams
Joint Offer - Institutions may make a joint conditional offer for both a degree course and a HND Course in one offer letter
Rejection - the university/college has considered your application and is unable to offer you a place
► Note
You can check on the status of your applications at any time via 'Track', the online applicant enquiry service. You will need your application number and password to do this.
► Decisions
You do not have to make a decision until you have received replies from all the courses you have applied for. Your letter from UCAS will tell you when you have to reply to offers.
However, if you receive an early offer that you really want, you can accept it and ask UCAS to cancel the rest of your application.
► Offers
You can hold two offers, one firm and one insurance. However if you accept an unconditional offer as a firm, you can't have an insurance offer too. If you accept an offer and you achieve the required grades, you are then committed to that course.
► Confirmation of Places
Confirmation of conditional places takes place after your results are notified. If you achieve the results required your place is guaranteed at your firm offer course. If you do not achieve the required grades, then it is up to the admissions tutor to decide if she/he will still accept you. If they are unable to do so, your insurance offer course may be able to confirm a place for you if you have achieved the grades, or alternatively at their discretion.
For more information, please visit: www.ucas.ac.uk.
